Hunting teams have got 963 predators arrested in 245 days here in the UK. No violence and with solid evidence to get them convicted.

I'm surprised you didn't mention that the individual who ended his life in the incident which led to the cancellation of To Catch a Predator was a district attorney. He had been caught attempting to lure what he believed was a 13-year-old boy.

You mentioned that the person caught ended their life. You didn’t mention that they were an assistant district attorney and that the show was forced to be shut down by other law enforcement trying to protect the monsters in their ranks.

Your dry humor catches me off guard at times, but it is absolutely hilarious. It definitely brings levity to the subject matter. Thank you.

Yes, vigilantism is almost always ill-advised. However, it's also important to see it as an expression of people's frustration with the ineffectiveness of our justice system -- where it seems like perpetrators are getting off scot-free a lot of the time. Maybe it's time to start retooling our justice system so that people can trust it to function properly. When that happens, there won't be much motivation for vigilantism in the first place.

“If a police officer collected it using the same tactics.” Regarding evidence…. OKAY WHERE ARE THEY???

One thing that stood out to me during the Hanson “to catch a predator “ many of the suspects knew about the show and even thought about it and how the person they were talking to online could be a sting operation. Despite this their interests in hooking up with someone under Age outweighed the known risks involved.

Doesn't help that some of these vigilantes think they are Judge Jury and Executioner.

seems like they did a great job. I'm amazed they gave him 6 years. that's good. and i don't think I could ever feel sympathy for these people

I dont think exposing pedophiles is a bad thing. Expose them, even if they don't get arrested their life gets ruined.

VIGILANTE(pronounced: vig•i•lan•te) - noun: a member of a self-appointed group of citizens who undertake law enforcement in their community without legal authority, typically because the legal agencies are thought to be inadequate.

Two thoughts: 1) I have watched plenty of 'predator catcher' type groups in both the US and the UK, but I have never discerned any religious motivations in any of them- ever. 2) Trained cops blundering and lying is mostly caused by years of cultural on-the-job sloppiness, mixed with a desire to protect their jobs & pensions. Predator catchers don't have those motivations.

The funniest vigilante catches was when known scam artist Ramy went to Egypt and did a couple of catches where he came close to getting murdered. I look at these creep catchers as pure candid camera inspired entertainment and I really enjoy watching the catches while also realizing money is the main motivational factor for these vigilantes who will constantly talk about where one could donate to them. I also do enjoy watching someone like Alex's precise interrogation techniques where he befriends the predator and masterfully gets them to admit everything in front of thousands of live viewers.

Having watched several of these social media vigilante videos, it always seems their primary motivation is gaining notoriety and financial support, not the protection of children.

Very glad to get back to your episodes. I've been deeply distracted by hurricane Ian. My prayers to all who have suffered loss. We were spared, but my heart is with those who were not.

If authorities fail to enforce the law, it will be enforced by the people. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. It's human nature.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

I was peripherally associated with two online groups that found predictors in the 90's, which was the wild, wild west of the internet. Child pornography was posted in profiles on yahoo chat. Un neither group did the members try to apprehend the subjects. They forwarded the chat logs to an appropriate law enforcement agency. Sometimes, the member was asked to continue to a meeting with the suspect. At that point, the police were supervising. I cannot recall any religious member in both groups. Times have changed apparently.

Noone feels "sympathy" for a child predator, no matter how much they are insulted by vigilantes.

Thank God someone is doing something, these guys are heroes 👍

A man in my former neighborhood had too much to drink and put his hand up the dress of his 15 year old daughters friend. Not far up, just above her knee. He served a year in jail, is on the Megan's Law website and has had his house burned down, has been beaten up several times and in the hospital many weeks because of self apoinyed vigilantes. He has never reoffended. He is very disabled now because of this and lives in a tent on the river bed. Hos assailants have never faced justice. Eric needs to be stopped.

I disagree with the sentiment that self-appointed vigilantes don’t understand the risks or dubiousness of their behavior. They do comprehend these things, but view their own actions as “justifiable enough” considering those that they go after. Knowing this about them goes a long way in understanding the vigilante mindset, which is comparable to a destructive activist that feels justified by reason of their cause.

🤦‍♂️ He got so much wrong in this video I can't even...

I write from Ireland and I really enjoy your videos. Your analysis of this phenomenon is absolutely correct. I myself was accused of a crime in my youth and the Police officers involved lied through their teeth throughout the process. It was only after my Lawyer was able to discredit their version of events, using CCTV footage from the alleged crime scene, that the charges against me were dropped. The whole experience taught me that the so called, good guys, are more than capable of criminal behavior in pursuit of a conviction. If the men in uniform are so untrustworthy, how can religious zealots be allowed to operate with impunity?

Looking forward to this. Thanks, Grande.

As police departments and District Attorneys practice their social experiment on their population by not prosecuting or letting criminals out, vigilantes will only increase.

Who else was watching Anxiety War doing this long before the boom in the market?

Hell yeah! Now I can stay up even later tonight. Thank you sir.

I also LOVE hearing any jokes by Dr. Grande, Honestly these quips crack me up sometimes 🤣

When I was in high school girls always bragging about their 20 something year old boyfriends

I honestly wish these types of groups were somehow able to get licensed after receiving proper training in order to work alongside law-enforcement, but the few I’ve observed on YT seem more about getting views, potential sponsorships, and monetizing content.

I don't think most of these Vigilantes really care about predators being put behind bars. Most of the time, they just shove a camera in people's faces without their consent (which is not admissible in court) and threaten to call the cops if they don't speak/confess to them. Some of the time they never actually call the cops because the predator confesses to them for the spectacle on their KZfaq channel. All they care about is the confrontation and the power trip of holding a camera in someone's face while they yell at them and have all their viewers laugh along.

The civilian vigilantes sounds like a hip-hop or post punk group. 🤣

Entrapment is when law enforcement creates a situation wherein a person commits a crime that they would not have committed on their own. I don’t know if it applies to vigilantes. But that seems likely to be what happened with the guy who ended up in prison.

Chatlogs are physically extracted off of devices….

I was really interested in hearing your analysis on this subject. Ask and you shall receive, haha. The speed in which you make these detailed and insightful videos is incredible, Dr. Grande. Thank you for another in depth analysis. I appreciate your hard work. 🙏

With some groups their hearts are in the right place but others do it for a weird power trip , internet clout and KZfaq money.

Two words: role playing chat room, dude.

Dr. G. On topics of law and order, philosophy, civil rights, etc, you always make great, reasonable points.

That comparison between Miley Cyrus and Yoko Ono was spot on! 😂

Love your analogy about Yoko and Miley. But remember that old proverb, "In the land of the Blind the one-eyed man is King".

I've always thought that it's a big ego trip for the vigilantes. They think they're something because they do this when it's actually quite foolish behavior. I wasn't impressed with Hanson's show either because all that was going on there was monetizing foolishness. Great video as always, Dr Grande.

Another great video Dr. Grande .Love from Ireland.

In BC, a vigilante set up a guy for a sting. They got him, they gloated... and showed the world that they had entrapped a mentally disabled man. 👏

Burning that midnight oil again! Loving on us insomnia folks! Always a treat Dr. Grande!

Police wait until crimes happen to do anything. At least these guys are trying to stop kids from being abused before it happens.

I'm so glad you covered this topic, as it's something that has become more and more prevalent online.

It's been a hectic day so far, so I made my comfort food, Sat on the couch, and pulled up Dr. Grande. ❤️

Reminds me of the Internet Sleuths involved in the Elisa Lam case and how they ruined the metal musician's life, I think such organisations need more legal training and definitely need to establish an ethical behaviour through which they interact with targets. There are several OSINT Organisations who work on unsolved cases, and they always submit their findings to law-enforcement.

You made the dude catching predators sound like a jerk. You made the predator seem like a victim. That's talent! Great job! 👍

I have observed these so-called "creep catchers" and I feel they are motivated by some prurient need to exact vengeance or "justice" on someone who is not worthy of sympathy. Furthermore, they seem to try to present themselves as "winners" in the fight against child exploitation and I think that's pretty messed up. There really are no winners here.

I think it’s a dangerous game when people take justice into their own hands. Brilliant review, you made some excellent points. Thank you, Dr. Grande!❤

I'm surprised no-one has brought a "vigilantes" to court for entrapment.

I think you were a bit harsh on the vigilantes. They are trying to prevent children having sex with grown men. That’s a worthwhile cause.

So happy to see you have a sponsor!

Wait Jason was carrying a gun when he went to meet an underage girl?

I enjoyed the Yoko Ono comment, very funny. Your analyses of your subjects are interesting, interspersed with humour. Thank you for the uploads Dr Grande.

Thanks, Doc!

The issue is he isn't talking to a minor and they're using a picture of an adult woman. It's entrapment.

The system The courts The judges The DAs If they would do their jobs...they would not have this problem. They deserve what they get. Vigilantes will do the job if they won't met out justice, TRUE justice.

Waiting for Gordon Flowers or Chet Goldstein to enter the chat

Very interesting analysis. Great video!

I support most of the child predator catchers. They deserve to be exposed and humiliated. The police do very little to bring these predators to justice. There are so many creeps out there who are abusing our precious children. Even infants are victims. My wish is for them to serve time in general population. Always appreciate your analysis Dr. Grande.

The benefits out-weigh the risk.I'm surprised at your position. Not necessarily that you feel that way, but that you feel that way strongly enough make a video speaking out against and even making fun of the people willing to try to help. The analogy about Miley Cyrus doesn't even fit. Singing and identifying a predator, one at a time, and possibly putting them on the radar of authorities without all of the red-tape that can tie the hands of authorities, are not the same thing, at all. Acknowledging the unintended consequences of their activism is fine but, again, going as far as to speak out against, and make fun of, them is not a good look, sir. I imagined more from you.

I doubt this was Jason's first time.

Someone has to do it. If any child is saved from their perpetrators I don't care.

Making the internet less comfortable for predators to lure children is a benefit. It's necessary to expose these monsters. I'm subscribed to a few poachers. I will agree that it's dangerous. There are so many deviants out there, I commend these groups for doing their part to protect children.

Chris Hansen literally caught another cop the same day this was posted. These "vigilantes" are focusing on a much needed area & saving a lot lof people from being hurt. Who cares if a child predator is threatened or embarrassed?

Interesting perspective, however I’m still pro pred catchers. Police departments (around the world) don’t have the budget or man power to do all the work these catchers do. Yes there might be some “vigilantes” doing this too, but until there is a solution, something has to be done. Without them, they would most likely never be caught as police don’t have the time. Majority of the catchers I’ve seen work very hard in setting up a successful conviction from start to finish and a lot of police departments/prosecutors applaud them. Meta data would show if chat logs have been modified… and adding trump and religion into the mix for your argument is very strange 😂

11:40 this has nothing to do with the police and everything to do with the district attorney. Show some integrity and acknowledge that.

It would be great if they would bring back that show. To Catch a Predator is an oldie, but goodie.

Terrifying. I don’t know if I can handle this.

My problem with some of these people that do these "to catch a predator" style videos is their intentions. I've seen a lot of these people (one channel in particular) that are straight up bullies. I'm not sympathizing with the people they catch, grown men trying to meet kids, but you can clearly see that some of these youtubers don't care about kids. They just found a loophole so that they can bully people, and that's ok, because those people are worse. I've seen videos of them making fun of a guy who tried to meet a boy. But not because of that, because he was gay and he talked gay. Or videos where the guy happened to be mexican, and they kept saying "go back to your country". Non of those things had anything to do with them trying to meet 13 year olds. It's like kicking a rabid dog. Some people just like kicking dogs.

I hate to admit I am in two minds about this. The police are overwhelmed with work and innocent girls are being victimized. But then to be fair I had a colleague who was set-up by the police and they successfully tried and imprisoned the bastard. I was abused by older men and I was a tubby little dumpling... If only there was a program in schools to educate. I hope and trust things have changed. In the meantime, if done properly I am all for exposing these deviants for the exploitation and the shere gall of their wickedness. I just don't encourage a group of good Ole boys trying to entrap a weasel.

Hello Dr. Todd Grande, I do agree with most of your points on social vigilantes. They do hamper with Police investigations and most cases against most predators get tossed in the courts because of their interference. However, as a businessman and on the social side of this issue, it brings to light who most people really are and it eventually falls onto people like myself if we want to hire them or even do business with them after knowing what they tried to do. In my opinion, this whole topic about predators & vigilantes is an ugly one as I never have encountered a predator when I conduct business, but as any normal person I absolutely despise predators and who they are.

Some of these groups have legit stopped some child abductions and caught registered sex offenders. The problem is (this is common among vigilante groups who take on these) they begin overstepping their grounds..To keep things exciting for their viewers (a lot of them is about views and subscribes) they get more edgy. I've seen one channel as their popularity grew they started getting more aggressive & confrontational on their "catches." In other words, they get more cocky and "comfortable" the more they do it. I think that's a problem.

Thanks for bringing this up. its a huge area of very sick people preying on innocent kids. But, what solution is there to prevent and police this??? I cant think of another better than this.

I don't mind vigilantism if it is done properly. I'd rather this than someone on the streets that is willing to harm a child.

These vigilantes are 100% a net positive to society. Even if they look foolish, they are exposing pedophiles, and that's a good thing.

Thank you Dr Grande, your speculation and opinion is highly regarded and greatly appreciated.

I always love it when Doc says "because of the murder part" Call me old fashioned but that's a pretty big/important part

Over 50 pct of children live in a single parent home with very little supervision and schools don't help, that's where grade schoolers learn things concerning, sex, orientation and trans genderism that I didn't learn till I was out of school. Hopefully any moral minded person would be concerned. So what the problem really is, is that government agency aren't doing what taxpayers want them to do. I guess if you don't try and meet a child for sex you won't have anything to worry about.

REQUEST: Hi Dr. Grande! I do not know if you listen to Swindled podcast (my favorite), but there is an extensive episode about Budd Dwyer and his suicide during his resignation speech on live television. Could you please cover this case and make a case for his guilt/innocence in regard to the charges brought against him? I just watched your video about Christine Chubbuck and it reminded me of Budd Dwyer's live suicide (a very disturbing and incredibly sad case as well).

Hello good Dr. Thank you

Batman comes to mind as fictional character vigilantes. a moral compass is often compromised when it comes to these real life types of vigilantes. sometimes people have to make a stand but usually thier moral justification is sketchy.

Thanks again Leonard

Dear Dr G. A great checked shirt to a very checkered case = perfect.

I think there is a strong sadism component to those people's behavior. They are like a bunch of bullies trying to justify the humiliation of their victims with a noble goal.

I know I’m thinking with my emotions more than I’m being logical, because I hear what you’re saying, but as a dad to a 4 year old, I wish we had these vigilantes in every city in America. Just because predator kills himself here and there, or just because a few people go crazy sometimes, I have nooooo issues with these people protecting our kids. More often than not, these hero’s put people behind bars or at least make the community aware of them. Here’s a crazy thought…..if people stop fucking with our children, predator catchers will have to go back to their day jobs. I don’t get this video, Dr. Grande. Jason was guilty. Maybe instead of scolding the vigilantes, scold the slow ass police departments who aren’t doing anything. You mention the vigilantes interrupting the cops…..maybe the cops should actually do something. I do agree with you on the candor of the vigilantes. I definitely don’t condone the violent rhetoric. Simply catch them and send them to jail. If anyone comments, I’m willing to listen to reason. My thoughts aren’t written in stone.

Man your sarcasm is beautiful

1:04 That's generous to the show. What happened was 1 of the people they were attempting to lure got cold feet, so not wanting to lose part of his precious episode, Chris Hanson went to that guy's house and started confronting and filming him, and the guy shot himself on the spot.

Thank you. A few years ago I saw KZfaq videos of these Chris Hansen copycats and at first I thought it was cool that they were helping out taking down these predators, until I realized that by the end of the video, the perpetrators never get arrested. I believe that some of these people think they’re really doing the right thing and feel frustrated when it seems like police aren’t doing anything, but in reality they’re often derailing ongoing investigations or ruining their chances in court for a successful conviction.

They literally canceled to catch a predator because a piece of crap sick pervert killed themselves? Honestly that's disgusting the vast majority of people I know think that's the best route.

The TV series To Catch A Predator was unforgettable. In my Addictions class in college, an internet cop (I think that was what he refered himself as) entrapped people in almost an identical manner (only they would be arrested when arriving at the meeting spot). I had no idea that these vigilante groups even existed, it is almost like they are creating an easy opportunity for the crime that wouldn't exist without their efforts. These people must not have thought through the whole group thing, they could easily be killed if they met up with an aggressive person.

Hysterical and intelligent analysis as usual. Thank you.

Mmmm ya this one's a miss for me. Seems very bias. Not all predator catchers are the same btw....they're actually very different and use different tactics, most aren't even religious......unpopular opinion but most people in society don't actually gaf what happens to predators, and cops aren't doing enough in this area. Pretty sure setting up and filiming crimes is just the future 😂 might need to get used to it

You're channeling your inner J. Jonah Jameson Dr. Grande. Let's applaud vigilantes as a whole.

While child solicitation is no doubt a heinous thing to do, I don't support or agree with sting operations where they actually goad the potential criminal into the act, rather than seeing if the person will do anything on their own. It's like going up to a drug addict, who is trying to be sober, and showing him a handful of free drugs and saying "Hey wanna do this? It's right here, take it." That's not the way to catch a predator, especially when the person was not a predator beforehand.

They have huge egos. Justice system already is unfair at times, no need to add a bunch of untrained yahoos trying to catch people. Great points always. Thanks Dr G😊💞💞

Love to hear your calm and logical takes on these crazy situations!!